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Trying to pick the best engine out of 2

OK...I have 2 EA71 short blocks. 1 is supposed to have 10 k on it and the other 56k. Problem is that the 56K engine looks cleaner, as if it had less miles than the 10K. (Both these engines sat for YEARS on a shelf, so they are both a little dusty).

What are some good ways to determine the better choice out of 2 engines?

OK...I have 2 EA71 short blocks. 1 is supposed to have 10 k on it and the other 56k. Problem is that the 56K engine looks cleaner, as if it had less miles than the 10K. (Both these engines sat for YEARS on a shelf, so they are both a little dusty).

What are some good ways to determine the better choice out of 2 engines?

Thanks for your opinions!

Todd

Inspect the cylinder bores for corrosion or other damage.Pick the one w/best bores and least amount of wear in the top 1/4 inch of ring travel.Normally it is easy to feel on higher mileage engines.It will be the one with the least amount of carbon on the pistons,IME.

Choice would be easier if the motor was more complete.I`ve had good results at the junkyard by removing a head(not subes) and inspecting the colour of the exhaust valves.Lighter colour=higher compressionThe ones w/darker exhaust valves always have more wear at the top of the cylinders.

Checking the PCV intake in the air cleaner for signs of oil from excessive blowby tells a lot too.

Forget about a bore gauge.I have a Snap-On dial bore gauge.Can`t remember the last time I used it.They don`t work well to measure wear at the extreme top of the bore where most wear is.